Executive Governor of Cross River State, His Excellency Senator Professor Benedict Ayade assured Cross Riverians of the reduction in Maternal Mortality Rate to insignificant levels at the just concluded maiden Multi-Year Operational Plan (MYOP) at OBUDU Mountain Resorts which carried the theme; CHARTING A NEW COURSE FOR QUALITY PRIMARY HEALTHCARE DELIVERY IN CRS.
Cross River State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (CRSPHCDA) on the 19th of July at Obudu Ranch Resort Conference Hall began a 7 days multi-year operational plan with the theme, “Charting a new course for quality primary healthcare delivery in Cross River State.
The Governor of Cross River State Sen. Ben Ayade represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Health, Dr Inyang Asibong, said the operational plan meeting for the Primary Health Care (PHC) is very vital to the developmental strides of healthcare in the state. Noting that the state has achieved a lot in Health sector. The Governor noted that the state was amongst the first to begin the implementation of one functional PHC per ward with the renovation and equiping of over five (5) Primary health care centers in the state. His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade equally said medical doctors have been employed to boost the quality of health care delivery in PHC’s. He further stated that the MYOP could not have come at a better time than now especially with the provision of the Save one million lives funding by the federal Government, where revitalisation of primary health care is one of the key requirements from states to continue to access funds.
He said working with the energetic health team,
“I am confident that we will be able to reduce maternal mortality to insignificant levels as well as achieve Universal Health coverage in CRS within one year”
Speaking, the chief host and DG CRSPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu said there was need for the Agency to draw its blueprint to achieving universal health coverage and sustainable integration by providing a document with 8 thematic areas which includes leadership and governance for health, health service delivery, human resources for health, financing for health, national health management information system, partnership for health, community participation for health and research for health all in support of the” primary health care under one roof policy.
She said the rigorous exercise that will bring about the multi year operational plan document will amount to almost nothing if the agency tasked with the mandate of coordinating all primary health care activities in the state does not have a target, benchmark and standards of operation as well as an administrative system that ensures the maximum utilization of available resources for maximal performance and productivity. She said the Multi Year operational Plan will be a useful resource mobilisation tool for PHC in the state.
According to her, the Annual Operational Plan for 2016 is part of the decision of his Excellency, Senator ( Prof) Ben Ayade and His Wife, Dr Linda Ayade who through her Mediatrix Development Foundation has supported the revitalization of PHC’s in the State and has ensured the provision of quality healthcare to the people.
She poured encomium on the Governor of Cross River State Sen. Ben Ayade for enabling the agency to reach out to comminities that had no access to health care before now. She also appreciated deeply, development partners who in one way or the other have contributed to the successful take-off of the Multi Year Operational Plan.
Also speaking was the Chairman of Obanliku, Hon. Ashua who welcomed everyone to obanliku LGA assuring them of their security and calling on all to savour the wonder ambience of the Obudu Cattle ranch resort.
Also speaking, Rt. Hon. Mrs. Marjorie Asuquo the chairman of Calabar South, stated that her LGA’s will continue supporting the delivery of primary health care to her people because it is the closest sector to the people in the rural areas. She said the Local Government will support the effort of His Excellency, Prof Ben Ayade to provide quality healthcare.
Finally the House Committee Chairman on Health, Hon Ekpo Ekpo Bassey representing the good people of Bakassi reiterated the support of the legislature to the creation of agency and passing of the amended law for its full repositioning.
Many developmental partners from UNICEF, USAID, UNFPA, CUSO, WHO, Pathfinders International, FHI360, UNAIDS, INTRAHEALTH, CHAI all shared their presentation and commitment to the development of the MYOP document that will guide PHC operations in the State.
See more photos from the event below…
The program went well and ended on the 22nd of July, 2016.